The legal team representing former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Chika Malami, has approached the court seeking intervention over what they described as his unlawful and prolonged detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Speaking on behalf of the defence team, lead counsel Mohammed Sheriff Elhassan said Malami’s continued custody violates his constitutional rights, insisting that the former minister has fully cooperated with investigators.
According to Elhassan, Malami voluntarily presented himself to the EFCC for questioning between November 24 and 29, and again on December 1 and 8, 2025. He said the former AGF spent over 15 hours responding to investigators’ questions during the sessions.
The lawyer explained that Malami was initially granted administrative bail, which he reportedly met in full. However, upon returning to the commission on December 2, the EFCC allegedly reviewed and withdrew the bail conditions, leading to his continued detention.
Elhassan dismissed claims that Malami jumped bail or ignored EFCC invitations, describing such allegations as misleading. He clarified that the investigation relates to alleged mismanagement of recovered Abacha loot, and not terrorism-related offences.
He further argued that detaining a suspect beyond 24 hours without a court order contravenes the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
“We are asking the court to step in and halt this unlawful detention. It is unreasonable to keep a person in custody after he has honoured all invitations and cooperated fully with investigators,” the lawyer said.
